Pipe testing apparatus

Abstract

A pipe testing apparatus comprising an elongate tester body having sealing means and actuator means to deform said sealing means on activation. The apparatus is further provided with means to bias actuator means axially away from the sealing means on deactivation of said actuator means. The apparatus is typically used to test the integrity of pipelines at specific points, for example joints or welds.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. Pipe testing apparatus comprising an elongate tester body on a longitudinal axis having resiliently deformable pipe sealing means at an end portion thereof and actuator means arranged to deform said sealing means radially outwardly on activation thereof, characterised in that said sealing means has a first thrust face inwardly angled from the longitudinal axis and an oppositely arranged second thrust face perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, said actuator has a co-operating actuating thrust face outwardly angled from the longitudinal axis to engage the first thrust face on said sealing means in operation, said apparatus including a seal carrier having a carrier thrust face perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the carrier thrust face engages the second thrust face on said sealing means such that the sealing means resiliently deforms by the combined interaction of the actuator thrust face and the carrier thrust face on activation of the actuator means, the actuator means is a hydraulically operated piston assembly and further resilient means are provided to bias said actuator axially away from said sealing means on deactivation of said actuator means. 
     
     
       2. Pipe testing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said sealing means is composed of a nitrile rubber compound. 
     
     
       3. Pipe testing apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said nitrile rubber compound has a shore hardness in the range of 60 to 90. 
     
     
       4. Pipe testing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the actuator thrust face on said actuator means and the first thrust face on said sealing means are arranged at 45° to the longitudinal axis thereof. 
     
     
       5. Pipe testing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the further resilient means is a rubber spring. 
     
     
       6. Pipe testing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said further resilient means acts between said actuator means and said seal means to bias them apart. 
     
     
       7. Pipe testing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a pair of said pipe sealing means are provided at either end of said tester body to form a pressure testing area. 
     
     
       8. Pipe testing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein means are provided for applying hydraulic pressure to said pressure testing area.